UPDATED 6.23pm: The body found at Mount Maunganui beach this morning has now been removed.

A reporter at the scene said officers removed the man's body about 8.55am and placed it on a ute, which travelled down to the Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service clubrooms.

Police were notified at 7.56am of a body in the water near Leisure Island.

"The body is fully clothed and has now been retrieved from the water."

The man has been identified as Benjamin Christopher Dahlkamp, a 45-year-old from Tauranga.

Police are continuing to provide support to his family.